Simply staying in contact with friends and family can pose significant costs - even though there are more ways available than ever before for connecting with others. Do you need to take out a loan these days just to talk to your loved ones? Regular domestic telephone service is only one of a variety of ways to communicate, including mobile technology that allows users to take all kinds of information and communication capacity on-the-go. Internet resources are also widespread, linking users through chat, email, image sharing and countless other web-based communications options.One thing to avoid is buying services that overlap with one another, costing you money that you really don’t need to spend. Redundant services give you multiple options as you link with others, but how many ways to connect do you really need? When money is no object, all-inclusive phone packages that allow massive data transitions and speed-of-light capabilities are nice to have, but when you need to trim some savings out of your communications budget, paring your phone service capabilities to essential levels is one way to save cash.LAN Lines may Become ObsoleteThere are a number of things to consider as you weigh communications options, including the cost of each service and the realistic usage you'll get from each available variety. In the past, a traditional land-based telephone line, linking you with others of the same variety, represented state of the art technology. While they still function in the same way, today's lan lines are losing favor to increasingly nimble mobile technology that goes with consumers throughout their busy lives.There are advantages to a lan line, like reliable connectivity and clear reception, but the service duplicates your existing mobile capabilities, so why pay the additional cash to have another version of the same service? For safety reasons, when children or elderly residents are present, lan lines furnish an additional layer of reliability that might be worth the extra investment. If you are a lone user, however, there is no sense maintaining multiple lines.Contract with the Best ProvidersThe realm of mobile phone contracts and service options can be a confusing and intimidating area for consumers seeking basic phone services. Plans are generally bundled, linking data, and voice capabilities with other services to offer several tiers of service. Of course, most providers would like to sell the most extensive options, so they discount bundles significantly, to entice you into the market. Despite the difficulty analyzing the available plans, it is important to contract phone services that reflect your usage habits. International plans, for example, furnish hefty savings for those calling out of the country frequently, but if you don’t know anyone outside your home country, does it really make sense to vomit to such a plan?Fortunately, mobile phone providers operate in a highly competitive market that always places downward pressure on pricing. This means great deals for consumers, but only those familiar with the landscape. Internet resources and other promotional offers furnish up to date information about pricing and service policies for all the major providers, so consumers are better-informed than ever before.Pay Per UseAnother trend worth investigating are pay as you go plans that allow mobile phone users to pay for chunks of service and then use the credits at their discretion. Once depleted, most offers allow users to simply reload their credits to continue using phone services. These flexible options furnish ideal service for some users, who do not have a need for extensive monthly usage contracts. Pay as you go is not the best approach for every mobile customer. In some cases, your usage calls for a more comprehensive, traditional service contract.